Ex-West Ham youth player arrested in UK over ¥75M Harry Winston heist in Tokyo
LONDON (TR) – A former West Ham United youth footballer has been arrested in the UK nearly a decade after a smash-and-grab robbery at a Harry Winston boutique in Tokyo netted over ¥75 million in luxury goods.
Isaac Cofie, 32, was taken into custody last week in London under a Japanese extradition request, British media reported. He is accused of being one of three helmeted men who stormed the high-end Omotesando Hills store in March 2015, smashed display cases with a crowbar, and fled with 46 items —— including luxury watches and jewelry.
The suspects escaped in a stolen vehicle later abandoned in Shibuya. All three men, described as British nationals of Ghanaian descent, are believed to have fled Japan shortly after the robbery. Japanese police issued international arrest warrants in the months following the heist.
Cofie, who once played in West Ham's youth system and later for semi-professional clubs in England, reportedly spent time at a football academy in Japan before the robbery. Japanese authorities believe the gang had scouted the store in advance and acted with military precision.
He is now fighting extradition, arguing that Japan's criminal justice system — including prolonged pre-trial detention and a lack of plea bargaining — could violate his human rights.
Japan has sought Cofie's extradition since 2015, but legal experts say the process may be drawn out due to differences in judicial systems and prison conditions. A decision could take months or longer.
The Omotesando Hills robbery shocked Japan for its bold execution in broad daylight and raised concerns about soft targets in Tokyo's upscale retail corridors.
The Harry Winston store has since tightened its security, but no suspects have been tried in Japan to date.
This is a developing story.
Related Tokyo Reporter coverage:
British nationals placed on wanted list over Omotesando Hills jewelry heist (2015)
British nationals placed on wanted list over Omotesando Hills jewelry heist
Foreign gang suspected in ¥75 million Tokyo jewelry heist (2015)
Foreign gang suspected in ¥75 million Tokyo jewelry heist
British nationals wanted in Omotesando Hills jewelry heist (2015)
British nationals wanted in Omotesando Hills jewelry heist
British nationals may be extradited over Harry Winston smash-and-grab (2015)
British nationals may be extradited over Harry Winston smash-and-grab
Source: Daily Mail – Former West Ham youth player, 32, arrested over £400,000 Japan jewellery store heist
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14720521/West-Ham-youth-player-Japan-jewellery-store-heist.html
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